Oktoberfest

Saturday, October 10th, South Dargan Street and the James Allen Plaza will come alive with music, games and German food and beer as downtown presents its third annual Oktoberfest celebration. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and goes until 10:00 p.m. This year the event features a new authentic German polka band that hails from New York. Fritz’s Polka Band plays everything from modern-style polka to country to rock and even blues. They love to get the crowd involved in the fun from doing the Chicken Dance to teaching polka line dances. In addition to the Little German Band playing Bavarian favorites, the Coco Loco band will perform more traditional top 40 and oldies. German foods from area restaurants will be available and will include weiner schnitzel, German potato salad, red cabbage, bratwurst and kraut, pierogis, German chocolate cupcakes, reubens, pulled pork, German punch, roasted chicken and much more. A variety of Oktoberfest beers will be available for purchase. There will also be German wines as well as Non-alcoholic drinks available. In addition to great German food and beer, there will be games for the entire family including beer barrel races, beer stein races and even something for the dogs…not hot dogs but “wiener dogs” a.k.a. dachshunds! The “Running of The Wieners”, a short race for dachshunds, will be held beginning at 6:30 p.m. Anyone with a wiener dog (dachshund) or “almost wiener dog” can enter. There is no entry fee and the first place winner in each of the two categories will receive a $100 cash. There will also be a prize for best dressed Wiener Dog! Admission to the event is free and you are encouraged to bring your own chairs as only limited seating will be available. Oktoberfest is a presentation of the Florence Downtown Development Corporation.